Pics. by B&M Bell
We visited the Barony Mill in 2018
and were glad we did so, but for some reason haven’t been back since. There were The Covid Years, and there are so many other things to do and see in Orkney even when you live here!
Then, on Orkney.com I read that the Mill is hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Old Grain. New Eyes’ presenting works by various Orkney creatives who have been inspired by the mill, its traditional processes, and the beremeal it produces. Inspired by the images presented in Orkney.com, we decided to go and see for ourselves.
The exhibition is free to visit from 9am – 11am daily throughout September. From 11am onwards it can also be seen as part of a guided mill tour, with standard tour admission applying. Tours run every 45 minutes from 11am to the last one at 3.30pm. We chose the tour, as we felt that doing so echoes the exhibition in combining art-works and the mill.
We paid in the shop, but weren’t allowed to pay in ‘old money’!
There’s lots of tempting merchandise – we went for multiple packets of biscuits
We were taken on a tour by the present miller, Alister Harcus. The tour began with us sitting by the fireplace which holds the fire which heats the kiln – burning husks from the grain. It won’t be lit until October, but still has a wonderful smell
Ali then took us to where we were standing right under the kiln, which gives some idea of the size, and therefore the capacity of it. The structure is made of wood, lined with a layer of lime cement to prevent it burning. No picture I’m afraid.
And then through to where the first miller, Mr William Hepburn 1873 – 1886, marked his name on a cross-beam
A photo of the man himself as a small boy, standing at the front of the group, which was brought and donated by a visitor to the mill
The list of millers includes Olive Flett 1972 – 1982, a female miller who Ali said was only about my size ( 5ft )!
We were then shown the mechanism which turns the mill-wheel
and the old pennies which act as a bearing for the mechanism – the almost conical one had been in use for three years
We then went upstairs and into the space in which the grain is stored before being fed into the grinding mechanism, passing through the art exhibition room on the way
This contains works by Hellen Gallard
And Michael Sinclair
Michael Sinclair’s work has long been a favourite of ours…
Apologies for any omissions – there’s a lot to take in! The art-works are for sale….possible, unique, Christmas presents?
The second ‘business end’ of the upper storey
ncluding the lever that starts the mill-wheel turning. Last time we were there, I was allowed to work the lever, which was a very satisfying experience! This time, it was someone else’s turn
Then back downstairs and outside to watch the magnificent mill-wheel turning and noticing the symbol of the St. Magnus Way
Also, there are the remains of the original mill and mill-wheels, dating from the 18th Century
Indoors again for the end of the tour, and one of the tour group was able to pull the rope which is used to stop the mill-wheel turning
Ali showed us a ‘spare’ mill-stone which was imported from France and is made of quartz – whereas the Orkney stones are usually made of sandstone. It’s so heavy that it had to be transported in sections.
I was reminded of how mill-stones used to be sourced from Yesnaby, as mentioned in this piece
Ali told us that the bere grain used now is genetically identical to bere grains found at Skara Brae – unchanged for 5, 000 years.
And finally, a little model which shows how grinding grain between stones works – large or small-scale
Also apologies if I got any of the facts wrong – there really was a lot to take in, in all kinds of ways. Best to go and have the tour yourself!
While on the subject of Orkney mills